Everybody’s different. Let’s tailor your sessions to you.
Areas of specialization
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Abuse
I have a special interest in working with survivors of coercive control, including intimate partner abuse in all its forms, and high-demand groups like MLMs.
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Life role transition
In a life of constant change, some shifts are particularly difficult. We can work together to navigate monumental change with hope.
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Bahá’í-inspired mental health counseling
I work with clients of all backgrounds and belief systems, including those who wish to turn to Bahá’í principles in their personal development.
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Grief and loss
Losing a family member, a pet, a job, or any other precious part of your life can be devastating. Together we can find ways to commemorate the past while stepping into a new chapter of your life.
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Family and relationship issues
Whether you need to unpack a difficult childhood in an individual session or navigate challenges in your current relationship, we can work to develop boundaries and communication skills that promote healthy connections.
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Stress management
Stress can impact many areas of your life and exacerbate pre-existing physical and mental health conditions. Therapy provides a safe space to discuss life stressors and develop individualized strategies perfect for you.
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Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depressive symptoms can be caused by a number of different biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Together we can narrow down and address their sources in your life and discover truly effective ways of managing them.
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Trauma
Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event can affect us long after the immediate danger has passed, impacting our physical health, our relationships, and the way we view and experience the world around us. By addressing these symptoms and perceptions in a safe and empowering manner, we can work to transform even the most painful experiences into just another memory, freeing you to choose how you walk through life.
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Severe and persistent mental illness
In collaboration with a separate medication provider or other resources, you and I can manage the effects of a diagnosed mood disorder, psychotic disorder, paraphilic disorder, or personality disorder.
Session Pricing
Individual session: $125 per 50-minute appointment
Before you schedule your first appointment, you’re welcome to email me with any questions you might have to help decide whether we’re a good fit. Upon scheduling your appointment, I’ll send you an invitation to our client portal to complete all necessary paperwork. Please note that in order to ensure that you have informed consent and I have time to review your information and prepare for our session, all paperwork must be completed 24 hours before your session or it will be rescheduled.
We accept payment via all major credit cards, debit cards, and Health Savings Accounts.
Morning Light has elected to not accept insurance. I have accepted insurance in the past, and unfortunately found that the system as it operates right now was not working in the best interest of many of my clients, due to issues including:
Lack of confidentiality. Paying for therapy through insurance requires that the therapist submit a client’s private information in order to justify sessions. This may include a diagnosis, treatment plan, and process notes. Going through insurance means that those individuals approving and denying claims will have access to your personal health information. By paying privately, you and I are the only people who have access to your records.
Diagnosis requirement. Many non-psychiatric issues that are important to you are not billable by insurance, such as learning how to cope with life changes, gaining more effective communication techniques for your relationships, increasing personal insight, and developing healthy new skills. In order to have a claim accepted, I must provide a diagnosis upon intake. Even if I attempt to provide a broader provisional diagnosis at first, in order to justify continued services I must diagnose you with a specific mental health disorder. This is an ethically challenging area, as many individuals I see either do not truly meet criteria for a billable DSM-5 disorder or a recorded diagnosis could negatively impact their lives.
Client nonautonomy. Because insurance companies decide whether or not to pay for services, they can require preauthorization, frequent reauthorization after only a few sessions, and may only provide payment for sessions using certain types of treatments. Insurance companies may deny claims or refuse to reauthorize therapy if they believe a client is not showing enough progress or is no longer in need of therapy. By paying privately, you can have complete control over choosing which therapist you see, progress through treatment at your own pace, and engage in types of therapy that are the best for for you.
Long-term consequences. A diagnosis that was recorded through insurance will become part of your medical record. This diagnosis can impact future situations such as court cases, applying for life insurance, obtaining firearm permits, and seeking employment in certain sectors.
Refraining from accepting insurance means that I can fulfill my personal and ethical responsibility to ensure that your sessions are truly your own, and you can have the therapeutic experience you deserve without having to navigate a frustrating and sometimes detrimental system.
If you would still prefer to use insurance despite the above concerns, we can provide a Superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Superbills cover all necessary details of a client’s treatment, which insurance providers require to determine eligibility. Please note that not all providers accept Superbills and your eligibility is not guaranteed.
If affordability is a concern, let me know.
Morning Light is proud to be a member of Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, a nonprofit network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing access to affordable therapeutic services. You are welcome to access my profile through their site and check for availability.
